Fire-escape



(No Model.)

H. E. GOBLE.'

Y Y PIRE ESCAPE. No. 284,627. Patented Sep-t. 11, 1883.

n @difesa N. EYERS. Phowumognphur, washingnm. D. c

'UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HIVRAM E. GOBLE, OF KALAMAZOQ, MICHIGAN.

FIRE-ESCAPE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 284,627, dated September 11,'1883. Application led February 20, 1883. (No model.)

To all whom, t 17mg/ concern.-

Be it known that I, HIRAM E. GOBLE, a citi- .Zen of the United States, residing at Kalamazoo, county of Kalamazoo, State of Michigan,

have invented a new and useful Fire-Esca )e of which the following is a specification.

Myinvention has for its object the construction of an improved fire-escape, the utility and novelty of which are hereinafter described and ln the drawings forming a part of this speci-r Iication, Figure l shows the device complete suspended from a window-sill; Fig. 2, a rear perspective view ofthe lever-support in Fig. l; Fig. 3, a vertical section of the grapple intercepting the dotted line on the lever in Fig. Fig. 4, a side view of the lever enlarged; and Fig. 5 is a topview ofthe saine.

The rope a is here shown suspended from the window-sill c of a building. The grapple consists of a semi-tubular shell, D, termed the lever-support, having an aperture through it to receive said lever C. The shell D has a pivot-hole, t', and the lever C has 011e or more pivot-holes, j'. In these holes the' detachable pin c is located, pivotally connecting said parts.

A is a hook connecting the belt B with the grapple, said hook being located in a hole in the shell D for this purpose, n, Figs. l and 3. The end of lever C is made round and provided with a frictional groove, in which the rope a is located. The rope is connected with vthe grapple by placing it in the shell D and forcing a loop out through the lever-aperture by pressing the grooved end of the lever C against the rope until the desired hole f is at the right position to receive the pivot t, Fig. 3. By having a series of holes f in the lever the desired friction on the rope may be secured in accordance with the size ofthe rope. rlhe rope may be passed down through a loop in the lower end of hook A to keep the rope in place, as in Fig. l. The shell D is provided with ribs or lips 1' c at the points where the rope passes out and in the shell, forming a greater frictional surface at said points. The lever C hasa handle end, t. In Fig. laspring, S, is shown, connecting with the shell and lever and holding the grapple locked on the rope-that is, the spring draws down on the Itis thus impossible for the person descendy ing to fall, even should he become insensible. The degree of speed at which a person descends is controlled by the lever C with the hand-hold of the handle end. Vhen the'sprin g S is used, the handle end of the lever is gently raised; but where the spring is-not used the operator bears down on the handle to cause a descent. Thus the person may stop at any point in the descent quickly and without danger. The detachable pivot o has an eye, e', at one end, with which chain z connects. The chain z is connected with the shell D, thus preventing loss ofthe pivot.

The whole device, except the rope and belt B, is preferably made of metal, but is so light in weight and small in compass that it can be convenientlycarried in a traveler-s Satchel. It is very simple to make and understand, and so accurately adjusted is its frictional leverage that a child can descend with it as easily and safely as a grown person.

Having thus described myinvention, what I clainras new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. The combination, with the grapple consisting of a semi-tubular shell having the lever-aperture, a lever having a frictional groove in the end and avdetachable pivot, of a bodybelt and a rope located in the shell and around 9o the grooved end of the lever, all substantially as set forth.

2. A rope-grapple consisting of a semitubular shell having an aperture to receive the lever, the lever, the pivot, and a spring connecting with the shell and lever, for the groove7 a handle end and a series of pivotobjeet stated, substantially as specified and holes, and a detachable pivot, in combination shown. with a rope used in the relation to the grapple 3. In combination with a rope, a ropegrapshown,all substantially as specified and shown. 15 5 ple7 consisting of a semi-tubular shell having In testimony of the foregoing I have herea lever-aperture and the fretional ribs7 the unto subscribed my name in the presence of pivoted lever having the end friction-groove, two Witnesses.

and the spring connecting the lever and shell7 y HIRAM E. GOBLE. substantially as set forth. Vitnesses: 1o 4. The shell having the lever-aperture and LEON KEWNEY,

pivot-hole, a' lever having the end friction- VILLY EPLEY. 

